Kiln



March 23,l 1943.

l KILN Filed Sept. 2, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet l March 23, 1943. J. H.MIN'TER 2,314,507

KILN y Filed Sept. 2, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 23,1943. .1. H. MINTER y y2,314,507

KILN

Filed Sept. 2. 1,941l 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 'ATTonN :Ys

March 23, 1943. J. l-l.r MINTER KILN Filed Sept. 2, 1941 'a sheets-sheet4 ATTOR NEYS .'1. H. MiN-ran March 23, i943.

KILN

Filed Sept. 2, 1941 INVENTQR ATTORNEYS MarchA 23, 1943. J. H, .MINT'E'R-2,314,507

ATTOR N EVS Marh23,1943. J.H M.NTER 2,314,507

KILN

Filed Sept. 2, 41941 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 w E L i f Jmesf INVENTOR ATTORNEYSPatented Mar. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KILN James H. Minter,Columbus, Ga.

Application September 2, 1941, Serial No. 409,304

14 Claims.

My invention relates to the manufacture of ceramic products, andincludes among its objects and advantages thel provision of an improvedtunnel kiln embodying novel means for preheating or drying, b urning, orbaking and cooling bricks and the like.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of that portion of the tunnel kilnrepresenting the preheating or drying zone of the system; Figure 1a is atop plan view of that portion of the kiln representing the burning orbaking Zone, the figure constituting a continuation of Figure 1;

Figurelb is a top plan View of that portion of the kiln representing thecooling Zone, this figure constituting a continuation of Figure 1a;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the structure of Figurerl;

Figure 2a is a side elevational view of the structure of Figure 1a; V

Figure 2b is a side elevational view of the structure of Figure 1b;

Figure 3`is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the burningor baking section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional View along the line B--S of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line indicated by line ofFigure 2b;

Figure 8 is an elevational view illustrating the discharge end of thekiln and the manner in which the pallets are transferred onto the returnconveyor for reloading purposes;

Figure 9 is an elevational View illustrating the manner in which thevpallets are transferred from the return conveyor onto the palletelevator which picks the brick olf the loader ribs, certain parts beingbroken away for the sake of clearness;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the structure of Figure 9;

Figure l1 is a View taken from the position indicated by line of Figure10;

Figure 12 is a View taken substantially from the position indicated byline |2-I2 of Figure 10; and

Figure 13 is a view taken from the position indicated by line |3|3 ofFigure 12.

Inthe embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, Figs. 1, la and 1billustrate kiln sections 20, 2| and 22 which are arranged end to end,with the section 2| constituting a continuation of section 20 andsection 22 constituting a continuation of the section 2|. Thesethree'sections 20, 2| and 22 respectively represent a drying zone and acooling Zone. Figs. 2, 2a and 2b respectively illustrate the sections20, 2| and 22 in side elevation. Section 20 is made up of seven similarunits 23 while section 2| is made up of eight similar units 24, and fivesimilar units 25 make up the section 22.

The brick machine or extruder 26 is indicated generally in Figs. 1 and2, the products of which are delivered to the section 2t and movedcontinuously therethrough as well as through the respective sections 2|and 22, after which the products have been dried, baked and cooled andare ready for removal to a place of storage or transportationfacilities.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a series of bricks 2l which have come from thebrick machine or extruder 28 and are at rest edgewise on a carriage 29provided with Wheels 30 operating on rails 3|. Rails 3| are in thenature of channels fa'cing each other and the wheels 39, in Figs. 9 and10,` are resting on the top flanges 32 of the rails. The carriage 29includes cross members 33 which support a series of spaced and parallelbars 34'upon which the bricks 2l rest. Fig. l0 illustrates the wheels 30as being located laterally of the carriage 29, and the bars 34 arespaced for the reception of load supporting bars 35 extendingtherebetween and to points considerably in advance of the series ofbricks 2l and the .carriage 29, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Bars`35 arearranged in' parallel relationship one-with the other and their upperfaces are I spaced slightly beneath the upper faces of the bars 34 'soas to clear the-series of bricks 2lfwhenthe carriage is advanced toposition this series of bricks in the position 3.6 of Fig.. 9. s

Transfer of the series of bricks 2l from 'their initial position toposition 36 of'Fig. 9 is accomplished through dropping of the carriage29 Iafter it has been `advanced to its foremost position. Figs. 9 and 10illustrate the flanges 32 of the rails 3| as being cut away at 31 and 38to, -provide openings into which the wheels 35 may drop when thecarriage 29 has advanced to its fore-4 most position, at which time theseries of bricks 21 is vertically 'aligned with the bricks in theposition 36. Dropping of the carriage 23 brings the series of bricks 2lto a position of rest on the bars 35 in the position 36. [After droppingthrough the openings 3l and 38, the Wheels rcome to rest on thev bottomflanges 39, on which 'the wheels roll during movement of the carriage toits rearmost position of Figs. 9 and 10.

Flanges 39 are provided with inclined track sections 40 on which thewheels ride to elevate the carriage to its normal position. Gates 4| areprovided in the flanges 32 for the passage of the wheels 38. These gatesare pivoted at 42 to the top flanges 32 and their free ends rest on theinclined track sections 48. Thus the gates are pivoted upwardly by thewheels 38 when climbing the inclined track sections to permit the Wheelsto pass through the ilanges 32. At the same time the gates 4| aresupported against pivotal movement when the carriage 29 is beingadvanced for depositing bricks on the load supporting bars 35. Guideflanges 43 are provided on the rails 3| to hold the wheels 30 inposition on the rails.

Means for imparting reciprocatory motion to the carriage 29 comprises arod 44 pivotally connected at `45 to a lug 46 flxedly secured to thecarriage 29, see Figs. 10 and 11. The other end of the ro'd 44 ispivotally vconnected at 41 to a Wheel 48 xed to a shaft 49 rotatablysupported by :bearings |!v mounted on frames 5|, see also Fig. 12..Rotation of the wheel '48 vimparts reciprocatory motion to the carriage29 by reason of the rod 44. Wheel 48 is characterized by an intermittentmotion. Figs. and 11 illustrate the rod 44 in one extreme position, atwhich time the wheel '48 has a period Aof rest. Rotation of the wheel 48180 moves the carriage 29 to its other extreme position, at which timethe wheel -48 also has ya period of rest.

The series of brick 21 constitutes a pallet load, and the bricks intheseries zare spaced Vby a suitable spacing device 52 which lis rnovedclear of the brick prior to advancement thereof. Fig. 9 illustrates arefractory Lpallet 53 supported on 'an elevator 54 :located underneaththe .rails 3|. This elevator includes Ya frame `55 provided with fourtubular guides 56 through which vertical posts t51 extend. These postsafford support for the `forward ends of the rails 3|, these rails being'also supported by the extruding machine 26.

The successive series of brick delivered to the Aposition 36 are droppedin exactly the same position on .the load supporting bars 35, and thevelevator 54 is ireciprocated vertically ina definite path byzreason *ofthe posts 151 s0 that the bricks in the position 3.6 "are perfectlyaligned with the pallet 53 as .it iis elevated for lifting the brick offthe load Asupporting bars 35.

Reciprocatory :motion fis imparted to the elevator :'54 through the'medium lof a rod 5S having one Yendpivotally -connected at 59 with'theframe 55 and its other `end pivotally connected at 66 with 'a wheel 61|,see Figs. '9 and `'12, which wheel is Xed to .a :shaft 62 rotatably.supported in bearings 63, one of which :is 'mounted on the mexnb'eri'llof one 'of the frames 5| and the other of -which is .mounted on a iframe65. Elevator 54 iis .also re'ciprocated with an intermittent motiondefinitely timed for synchronized to the intermittent ire'cipro'cato'ry'motion of the carriage 29,

Elevator 54 receives successive pallets from an end-less conveyor 66which travels to move the pallets in the tdirection of the elevator. Inthe lowerrnost position of the elevator 54, the pallets may Itransferfrom the .conveyor onto the elevator. Fig. 9 illustrates the elevator 54raised substantiallyhalf its travel upwardly for engagement with thebricks vin the .position V36. As the bricks in the position 36 'aretransferred onto the pallet 53, the elevator remains at rest and thecarriage 29 is advanced to deposit another series of bricks in theposition 36. Such advancement of the carriage brings its tapered rib |34into the similarly shaped notch 68 in the pallet 53 for pushing thepallet onto the series of wheels 69 which carry the pallets through thekiln. The endless conveyor 66 also extends the full length of the kilnfor returning pallets from which the bricks have been removed.

Fig. 12 illustrates the pallet 53 as being provided with a series ofgrooves 16 for the reception of the load supporting bars 35 when thepallet is in its uppermost position. The pallet also includes a sheetmetal base 1| having a rack 12 secured thereto. The two side margins ofthe base 1| are bent downwardly to provide aprons 13, and the base isprovided with two parallel and depending guide rails 14 which arereceivable in grooved wheels 15 carried by axles 16 supported by anges11 extending upwardly from .the frame 55. Wheels 15 are closely spaced,as .in Fig. 9, and support the load of the pallet 53. Precisepositioning of the pallet 53 on the elevator 54 is secured through themedium of a lug 18 on one of the anges 11 to stopl further movement ofthe pallet as it moves from the endless belt 66 onto the wheels 15. i

Fig. 13 illustrates a gear 19 xed to the shaft 62 to which the wheel 6|is keyed, which gear is in mesh with a segmental gear 88 keyed to ashaft 8| rotatably carried in bearings .82 on the frames 5|. T-o theshaft 8| is keyed a -gear 83 meshing with a gear 84 keyed to a shaft 85which is rotatably supported in a bearing 86 mounted on a channel 81 ina frame 85. Two frames 88 are provided, to which are secured the members64 and the frames 5I. Shaft 85 is additionally supported by bearings 89,see Fig. 12, Vsecured to upright channels 99. The channels 99 terminateflush with the end of the first unit 23 Iin the kiln section 20.

The conveyor 66 comprises pairs of grooved wheels 9| which .carry`cables 92 on which the pallets 53 rest as `they are carried to theyelevator 54. The first pair of grooved wheels 9| are secured to theshaft 85, which wheels constitute -drivers for the cables 92. TheVremaining pairs of wheels 9| are carried on shafts 93 supported inbearings 94 mounted on ychannels 85 located inside the tunnel 96extending lengthwise through all the units 23, 24 and 25 of the sections29, 2| and 22, respectively.

While the shaft 85 rotates continuously during operation of the kiln,intermittent rotation is imparted to the gear 19 by reason of the seg--mental gear 88. Segmental gear is arranged for coaction with the gear.91 keyed to a shaft 98 rotatably supported in bearings 99 secured tothechannel 64. A sprocket |60 is keyed to the shaft 98 for driving a chain|0I passing around a sprocket |82 keyed to the shaft 49 to which thewheel 48 is attached. The axis of the shaft 8|, see Fig. 1'3, is locatedin a common plane with the axes of the shafts 62 and 98, so that thegear 91 is located diametrically opposite the gear 19 with respect tothe segmental .gear 80. During one-half revolution of the segmental gear89, the gear 91 is under rotation and the gear .19 stationary. Duringthe other half revolution of the segmental gear 88, the gear 19 is underrotation and the gear 91 stationary. Thus the wheel 98 which actuatesthe carriage 29 is active during the idle 'period of the :elevator A54and inactive during the ascending and descending periods of theelevator.

A gear |03 is fixed to the shaft 85 and meshes with a pinion |04 keyedto a shaft |05 to which a gear |06 is secured. Gear |06 meshes with apinion |01 keyed 'to a shaft |08 which has a gear |09 attached thereto.Gear |09 meshes with a pinion secured to a shaft to which a gear ||2 issecured. Gear |l2 meshes with a pinion ||3 keyed to a shaft ||4' whichhas a gear ||5 secured thereto and meshing with a pinion ||6 secured toa shaft I I1 driven by a motor ||8. Shafts |05, |08 and ||I arerotatably supported in bearings ||9 mounted on the channels 81 of theVframes 88, while the shafts ||4 and ||1 are rotatably supported in`bearings |20 mounted on the horizontal members |2| of the frames 88.

In'Fig. 9, the shaft I1 is provided with a worm |22 meshing with a Wormgear |23 keyed to a shaft |24 rotatably supported in a bearing |25mounted on a channel |26 extending through one wall ofthe unit 23 andsecured to one of the frames 88. Fig. l0 illustrates the shaft ||1 asbeing supported adjacent the worm gear |23 Aby a bearing |21 secured tothe channel |26, and the shaft |24 is connected with a short shaft |28by a universal joint |29, which short shaft isconnected With a screw orworm |30 through the medium of a universal joint |3|. Screw |39 isrotatably supported in bearings |32 mounted on I-beams |33 secured tothe Wall structure of the first unit 23 in the section 20. The screw |30extends longitudinallyv of the tunnel 96 and is preferably of a lengthequal to the total length of four pallets 53. This screw acts on theracks 12 of the pallets for advancing the latter through the sections20, 2| and 22.

In theirpassage through the sections 20, 2| and 22, the pallets abut endto end one with another and the screw |30, which supplies the power formoving the loaded pallets, rotates at such speed with respect to therespective lengths of the sections 20, 2| and k22 as to provide thenecessary time for these sections to perform their respective functions.All the pallets are identical in construction and each includes atransverse V-shaped rib |34 at its leading end which is receivable inthe similarly shaped groove 68 in the other end of the next pallet inadvance thereof. While the ribs t in the grooves 68, the abutting endsof the pallets are in actual contact and the ribs |34 are so fitted inthe grooves 68 as to restrain the pallets from relative verticalmovement as they are advanced on the wheels 69. Thus the column ofpallets advancing through the kiln is of a sturdy nature in that thepallets are restrained from lateral excursions by reason of the guiderails 14 fitting in the grooved wheels 69 and the pallets are restrainedfrom relative vertical excursions as they are transferred from wheel towheel by reason of the intertting relationship vbetween the ribs and thegrooves. While the pallets would shift vertically relatively smalldistances in the absence of the ribs and grooves, the stabilizingfunction of this feature is such as to eliminate all unnecessary motionsof the pallets which might disarrange the bricks thereon.

Wheels 69 are secured to shafts |35, as in Fig. 5, rotatably carried inbearings |36 secured to channels |31 supported by the upright channels95 inside the tunnel 96 of all the units 23, 24 and 25. The shafts arerestrained from relative longitudinal movement by reason of collars |38.

Fig. 5 illustrates the channels |31 in the unit 23 as being extendedinwardly beyond the structural members |39 to provide sand troughs |40in Which the aprons 13 run so that a tunnel |4| is provided in the unitabove the tunnel 96. The channels |31 of all the sections 23, 24 and 25are similarly fashioned. Accordingly, the pallets 53 are returned by theconveyor 66 through the tunnel 96 and the pallets are moved through thetunnel |4| in the opposite direction and on the wheels 69. Since thebase plates |31 of the loaded pallets define the bottom wall of thetunnel |4|, the pallets do not lie wholly inside this tunnel but thebricks carried on the respective pallets are located wholly inside the`tunnel and subjected to the temperature conditions prevailing in therespective sections 20, 2| and 22.

-Fig. 3 illustrates one of the units 24 of the burning section 2|, whichunit is provided with a. partition |42 near one end. Each of the units'24 is provided with a similar partition, which is also true of theunits 23 and 25 in the sections 20 and 22, respectively, so that thetunnel |4| is divided transversely into a series of chambers |43. Figs.5, 6 and 7 best illustrate the contour of the partitions |42, whichpartitions terminate close to the upper faces of the pallets 53 and arecut out at |44 to provide clearance for the bricks al similarVpartition, which is also true of. .the units 23 and 25 in the sections20 and 22, re-` spectively, so that the tunnel |4| is dividedtransversely into a series of chambers 43. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 bestillustrate the contour of the partitions |42, which partitions terminateclose to the upper faces of the pallets 53 and are cut out at |44 toprovidence clearance for the bricks 2 resting edgewise on the respectivepallets. The'cutouts |44 provide the necessary clearance for the brickbut divide the tunnel |4| into suitable chambers I43. All the units 23,24 and 25 are identically constructed in this connection.

The unit 24 of Fig. 3 is provided with an elevation |45 in its roof. Aburner |46 extends through the Wall |41 of the elevation forcornmunication with the chamber |43. Each of the units 24 is providedwith at least one burner |46. Fig. 1a illustrates five of the units asbeing each provided with two burners |46, the remaining three unitsbeing each provided with one burner only. A pyrometer |48 is providedfor each of the yunits 24, and each unit is also provided with a pipe|49 for the admission of steam.

Arches |50 and |5| are vertically spaced and anchored to the Walls |52of all the units 23', 24 and 25 to provide tunnels |53 and |54 eX-tending throughout the length of the kiln. Each of the units 23 isprovided With two passages 55 placing the tunnel |4| in communicationwith the tunnel |53, as illustrated in Fig. 5, with the two passages |55illustrated therein located-on opposite sides of the unit. Each of thesections 23 is also provided with two passages |56 which place thetunnel '|4| in communication with the tunnel |54. Fig. 6 illustrates oneof the passages |56 and the second passage of this unit is identicallyplaced and constructed with the on shown. The passages |55 are locatedat one end of their respective unit 23 and the passages |56 are locatedat the opposite end of that unit. The side walls of the units 23 arewidened" to provide accommodation for the passages |55 and |56, asrespectively indicated at |51 and |58 in Figs. 1 and 2.

.exhausted by way of the flue .brought onto wire conveyors guided onVrollers |12 extending into the grooves Each of the units 24 "of thesection 2| is provided with two'widening formations |59 located onopposite sides .of the unit near one end thereof, each of which isprovided with a passage |60 which 'places the chamber |43 of the unit inycommunication with the tunnel |54, best illustrated in Fig. 3.Similarly, each unit 25 in the section v22, with .the exception of thelast unit in .the section,.is.provided With four widening forma- -tions|6.|,two on a side, and the last unit having twofsuchformations, one ona side. Each widening formation |6| is provided with a passage |62,asillustrated in Fig. 7., which places the chamber :|43 of its.respective unit in communication with `the tunnel |53.

One of the units 24 in the section 2| is provided with a laterallyextending flue |33, see Fig. 4, which places the tunnel |54 incommunication with a chimney |64. An exhaust fan |65 is located in theflue |33 and is driven by a motor |65 through the medium of a shaft |61supported by a bearing |63 in one Wall of the chimney |64 and by abearing |69 located in the iiue |63.

In operation, the hot gases in the chambers .|43 A0f the units 24 aredrawn downwardly of the passages |63, into the tunnel |54 and areexhausted to the atmosphere by way of the flue |63 and the chimney |34.Heated air from the chambers |43 of the units 25 in the section 22 isdrawn into the .tunnel |53 by way oi the passages IBZ. Suchen', heatedthrough radiation from the hot brick and wall structure of the units 25,moves in the direction of the brick machine .or extruder 26, which isreversely of the travel of the brick through the kiln, and passes 1intothe chambers |43 of the units 23 of the section 26 by Way of thepassages |55 and then .from the chambers by Way of the passages |55 andto the tunnel |54 from which it is 533. The passages |55 are located atone end of the units 23 and the passages |56 at the opposite end, sothat the warm air entering the chambers |43 of the units 23 will becaused to travel the full lengths of the units so .as to effectively drythe brick before they are introduced into the units of the burningsection of the kiln.

All the widening formations |51, |58, |59 and 16| Aare provided Withdampers |10 which may be adjusted to control the temperature conditionsof the respective chambers |43. In addition'to the pyrorneters |48,hydrometers may also be provided wherever necessary.

Fig. 8 illustrates the manner in which the brick Aon the pallets aredelivered at the end of the kiln for removal therefrom. The brick are|1| which are 1'9 in the pallets v53 'so that the brick thereon willride onto the endless wires. These Wires are .supported Vby rollers |13intermediate their ends .toprovide the inclined run |14. Thus the brickbn the horizontal vand final run |15 are separated, as at |16, from thebrick on the incline so that Van appropriate tool may be clamped on theTe'n'dsof the brick group to remove the latter from the conveyor.Tensioning rollers |11 engage the bottom runs of the wires |1| and thesewires pass about the end rollers |18 which are power driven by anysuitable means not shown.

As the brick are removed from the pallets, the pallets drop downwardlyat their forward ends as J'they pass over the last pair of wheels 69 andfall onto a bracket |19 bolted to two of the channels .95. Thesebrackets are provided with Wheels |86 which facilitates gravitation ofthe .pallets onto an inclined frame |8| also havingrollers |82 tofacilitate travel of the pallets on the frame. Frame |8| is pivotedintermediate its ends on a shaft |83, supported by bearings |84, onlyone of which is illustrated.

Frame |8| is provided with a latch bolt |85 urged by a spring |86 tooverlie a hook |81 supported from the brackets |19. The length `of thatportion of the frame |8| between the brackets |19 and the shaft |83 issomewhat greater than the length of that portion extending rearwardlybeyond the shaft |83. An-abutment |38 is provided at the rear end of theframe |84 to act as a stop for the pallets. Adjacent'the abutment |53 ispositioned a lever |39 which has its lower end pivotally connected at|98 with the frame. A link |9| connects the lever |89 with 'the latchbolt $85, and the spring |86 normally urges the latch bolt toitsposition of Fig. 8, at WhichV time the lever |89 is positioned a shortdistance advancedly of the abutment |88.

Movement of a pallet downwardly of the frame |35 brings the pallet intoengagement with the lever |89 for retracting the latch bolt |85-fro1nholding engagement with the hook |81. AThe frame i'l is Weighted at |93so as to pivot to the full line position of Fig. 8 to permit the latchbolt |35 to pass over the hook |81. The bearings |34 are provided withbrackets |34 which support a shaft |95 constituting a stop for the frame|8|. The hook |81 as well as the latch bolt |85 are rounded at |96 tocause the latch bolt to be cammed axially when passing beyond the hook.

Abutment |88 is so located as to stop the pallets in a position on theframe |8| which loads the forward end of the frame in a degree whichoverbalances its weighted rear end. Thus the frame |8| is caused topivot downwardly by the overbalancing weight of the pallet thereon. Theframe moves back .to its original position as soon as the pallet istransferred onto the conveyor 66. Thus the pallets are employed foractuating the latch bolt in vaddition to constituting a loading meanswhich imparts pivotal motion to the frame.

The conveyor 66 travels at about three times the speed of the loadedpallets 53 and the momentum of the unloaded pallets is sufcent to makethe transfer from the conveyor onto the elevator 54, with the stop 18assuring precise positioning rof the pallets. Because of the closespacing between the delivery end of the conveyor 66 and the elevator 54,the pallets are positively transferred substantially to their finalpositions on the elevators, but the momentum carries the pallets thelatter part of their travel.

The kiln in the present case embodies an elevator 54 which brings thesuccessive pallets into loa-d carrying engagement with the bricks insuch manner as to maintain the orderly arrangement of the bricks. Theaction of the elevator with respect to the load carrying bars 35 is suchasto operate eiciently and with a high degree of speed for transferringthe bricks from the bars onto the pallets. The pallets first passthrough the section 29 which derives heat for drying purposes from thecooling section 22 through the medium of a subterranean tunnel andbranch passages which connect the tunnel with the chambers' |43 Moisturemay be added'- are propelledthrough the medium of the screw |30 which islocated outside the burning sections but the pallets move easily byreason of the wheels 69 which carry the loaded pallets. Heat in thesection 2| is derived through the medium of burners, which may usenatural gas or fuel oil, located along the top of the kiln and spaced atthe most advantageous intervals with the burnt products of combustionexiting from the units through the medium of passages connecting thelowermost tunnel of the kiln, these passages being damper controlled forthe purpose of heat regulation.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, itis, of course, understood that I do notdesire toflimit the scope thereofto the exact details set forth except insofar as those details may bedened in the appended claims.

Y I claim:

1. A kiln having a track for Ware laden pallets,

a mover means acting on the ware laden pallets on the receiving end ofsaid track advancing the pallets in end to end engagement on said track,a return conveyor for unloaded pallets, a power drive connected withsaid mover means and said return conveyor, a pallet actuated device fortransferring unloaded pallets from the delivery end of said track ontothe receiving end of said return conveyor, a ware support located at thereceiving end of said track, an elevator located underneath said waresupport at the delivery end oi said conveyor for receiving pallets fromthe conveyor one at a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereonfor lifting the ware olf said support, pusher means for transferring theware laden pallet from the elevator onto ,the receiving end of saidtrack, and operating connections between said power drive and saidelevator and said pusher means for actuating the elevator and the pushermeans in timed sequence.

2. A kiln having a track for ware laden pallets, a screw means acting onthe ware laden pallets on the receiving end of said track for advancingthepallets in end to end engagement on said track, a return conveyor forunloaded pallets, a power drive connected with saidscrew means and saidreturn conveyor, a pallet actuated device for transferring unloadedpallets from the delivery end of said track onto the receiving end ofsaid return conveyor, a ware support located at the receiving end ofsaid track, an elevator located underneath said ware support at thedelivery end of said 'conveyor for receiving pallets from the conveyorone at a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereon for liftingthe ware oif said support, pusher means for transferring the ware ladenpallet from the elevator onto the receiving end of said track, andoperating connections between said power drive and said elevator andsaid pusher means for actuating the elevator and the pusher means intimed sequence.

3. A kiln having a track for ware laden pallets, a mover means acting onthe ware laden Pallets on the receiving end of said track for advancingthe pallets in end to end engagement on said track, a return conveyorfor unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said mover means andsaid return conveyor, a pallet actuated device fortransferring unloadedpallets from the delivery end of said track onto the receiving end ofsaid return conveyor, a ware support located at the receiving end ofsaid track, an elevator located underneath said ware support at thedelivery end ofsaid conveyor for receiving pallets from the conveyor oneat a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereon for liftingA theware oif said support, pusher means for transferring the ware ladenpallet from the elevator onto the receiving end of said track, and agear train operatively connecting said power drive and said elevator andsaid pusher means, said'gear train including a segmental gear foractuating said elevator and said pusher means in timed sequence.

4. A kiln having a track for Ware laden pallets, a mover means acting onthe ware laden pallets on the receiving end of said track for advancingthe pallets in end to end engagement on said track, a return conveyorfor unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said mover means andsaid return conveyor, a pallet actuated device for transferring unloadedpallets from the delivery end of said track onto the receiving end ofsaid return conveyor, spaced bars for supporting ware at the receivingend of said track, an elevator located underneath said bars at thedelivery end of said conveyor for receiving pallets from the conveyorone at a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereon for liftingthe ware off said support, said pallets having grooves in their waresupporting faces for receiving said bars to bring the ware intosupported engagement With the pallets, pusher means for transferring theware laden pallets from the elevator onto the receiving end of saidtrack, and operating connections between said power drive and saidelevator and said pushermeans for actuating the elevator and the pushermeans in timed sequence. Y

5. A kiln having a track for ware laden pallets, a mover means acting onthe ware laden pallets on the receiving end of said track for advancingthe pallets in end to end engagement on said track, a return conveyorfor unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said mover means andsaid return conveyor, a pallet actuated device for transferring unloadedpallets from the delivery end of said track onto the receiving end ofsaid return conveyor, a ware supportV located at the receiving end ofsaid track, an elevator located underneath said ware support at thedelivery end of said conveyor for receiving pallets from the conveyorone at a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereon for liftingtheV ware off said support, pusher means for transferring the ware ladenpallet from the elevator onto the receiving end of said track, operatingconnections between said power drive and said elevator and said pushermeans for actuating the elevator and the pusher means in timed sequence,a carriage for moving Ware from an extruder to a position above saidware support, means for guiding the movement of said carriage anddropping the latter when positioned vertically of said ware support todeposit the wareon the ware support, and said pusher means being iixedlysecured to said carriage to move the latter in timed sequence with thepusher means.

6. A kiln having a track for ware laden pallets, a screw means acting onthe ware laden pallets on the receiving end of said track for ladvancingthe pallets in end to end engagement on said i track, a return conveyorfor unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said Screw means andsaid'return conveyor, a pallet actuated device for transferring unloadedpallets from the delivery end of said track onto the receiving end ofsaid return conveyor, a ware support located at the receiving end ofsaid track, an elevator located underneath said ware support at thedelivery end of said conveyor for receiving pallets from the conveyorone at a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereon for liftingthe ware off said support, pusher means for transferring the ware ladenpallet from the elevator onto the receiving end of said track, operatingconnections between said power drive and Said elevator and said pushermeans for actuating the elevator and the pusher means in timed sequence,a carriage for moving ware from an eX- truder to a position above saidware support, means for guiding the movement of said carriage anddropping the latter when positioned vertically of said ware support todeposit the ware on the ware support, and said pusher means beingiiXedly secured to said carriage to move the latter in timed sequencewith the pusher means.

7. A kiln having a track for ware laden pallets, a mover means acting onthe ware laden pallets on the receiving end of said track for advancingthe pallets in end to end engagement on saidv track, a return conveyorfor unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said mover means andsaid return conveyor, a pallet actuated de-W vice for transferringunloaded pallets from the -delivery end of said track onto the receivingend of said return conveyor, a ware support located at the receiving endof said track,` an elevator located underneath said ware support at thedelivery end of said conveyor for receiving pallets from the conveyorone at a time and movable vertically with a pallet thereon for liftingthe Ware olf said support, pusher means for transferring the ware ladenpallet from the elevator onto Vthe receiving end of said track, a geartrain operatively connecting said power drive and said elevator and saidpusher means, said gear train including a segmental gear for actuatingsaid elevator and said pusher means in timed sequence, a carriage formoving ware from an eX- truder to a position above said ware support,means for guiding the movement of said carriage and dropping the latterwhen positioned vertically of said ware support to deposit the ware.

on the warek support, and said pusher meansv being fixedly secured tosaid carriage to move the latter in timed sequence with the pushermeans.

8; A kiln having a track for warellafden pallets, a mover means actingon the ware laden pallets on the receiving end of said track foradvancing the pallets in end to end engagement on said track, a returnconveyor for unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said movermeans and said return conveyor, a pallet actuated device fortransferring unloaded pallets from the delivery end of said track ontothe receiving end of saidreturn conveyor, spaced bars for supportingware at the receiving end of said track, an elevator located underneathsaid bars at the delivery end of said conveyor for receiving palletsfrom the conveyor one at a time and movable vertically with a palletthereon for lifting the ware off said support, said pallets havinggrooves in their ware supporting faces for receiving said bars to bringthe ware into supported engagement with the pallets, pusher means fortransferring the ware laden pallets from the elevator onto the receivingend of said track, operating connections between said power drive andsaid elevator and said pusher means for actuating the elevator and thepusher means in timed sequence, a carriage for moving ware from aneXtruder to a position above said spaced bars, means for guiding themovement of said carriage and dropping the latter when posi- 75V tionedvertically of said spaced barsto deposit; the' ware on the. spaced bars,and said pusher meansy being fixedly secured to said. carriage. to movethe. latter inv timed sequence with the pusher means..

9. A kiln having. a track for'ware laden pallets.

a mover means acting. on the ware. laden palletsV on the receiving endofv said'. track for advancingy power drive connected with` said. movermeans.

and said return conveyor, a pallet actuated device for transferringunloaded pallets. from the. delivery end of said track onto thereceiving end of said return conveyor, a ware. support located at thereceiving end. of said track; an elevator located underneath said waresupport at the delivery end. of said conveyor for. receiving pallets.

from the conveyor one at a time and' movable vertically with 4a palletthereon for lifting the Ware means includ-ing racks on thepall'ets, anda rotaryy worm meshing with the worms.

l0. A kiln having a track for ware laden pallets, a mover means actingon the ware laden pallets on the receiving endl of. said track foradvancing the pallets in end to end eng-agement on saidtrack, a. returnconveyor for unloaded pallets, a power drive connected with said' movermeans and saidv return conveyor, a pallet actuated device fortransferring unloaded pallets from the delivery end of said track ontothe receivingend of said return conveyor, a Ware support located at thereceiving end of said track, an elevator Iocated underneath. saidwa-resupport at the delivery end of saidV conveyor for receiving pallets:

said` pusher means for actuating the elevator andthe pusher means intimed sequence, said track comprising pairs of spaced' wheels, thepallets havmg rails guidngly engageable withY said wheels, and thepallets having interlitting flange and igroovefformations restrainingrelative vertial rlriovement of the pallets during travel on said rac11. A kiln having a -rst tunnel, a second tunnel, a third tunnel and afourth tunnel, pallets, a track for 'moving ware laden pallets 'throughsaid fourth tunnel, saidpallets and said'kiln being provided withmeanscoacting to separate the fourth tunnel from the third tunnel, a.conveyor for returning unloaded palletsthroughthe third tunnel, saidfirst and second tunnelsbeing. located underneath said third tunnel andthe, fourth .tunnel being located above the. third tunnel, said fourthtunnel being. divided into-a drying zone, a burning zoneand acooli-ngzone, saidkiln being provided with passages placing the burningzone ofthe fourth tunnel in communicationwith' said iirst tunnel, said kilnbeing provided with passages placing the cooling zone of the fourthtunnelin communication with thesecondtunnel and passages placing thesecondtunnel in communication with the drying zone ofthe fourthtunnellvsaid kiln having passages Aplacing the-drying zone of the fourth tunnelin communication with the first tunnel, and means for exhausting air andburnt products of combustion. from said rst tunnel.

12. A kiln having a rst tunnel, a second tunnel, a third tunnel and afourth tunnel, pallets, a track for moving Ware laden pallets throughsaid fourth tunnel, said pallets and said kiln being provided with meanscoacting to separate the fourth tunnel from the third tunnel, a conveyorfor returning unloaded pallets through the third tunnel, said fourthtunnel -being divided into a drying zone, a burning zone and a coolingzone, said kiln being provided with passages placing the burning Zone ofthe fourth tunnel in co munication With said rst tunnel, said kiln beingprovided with passages placing the cooling zone of the fourth tunnel incommunication with the second tunnel and passages placing the secondtunnel in communication with the drying zone of the fourth tunnel, saidkiln having passages placing the drying zone of the fourth tunnel incommunication with the first tunnel, and means for exhausting` air andburnt products of combustion from said rst tunnel.

13. A kiln having a first tunnel, a second tunnel, a third tunnel and afourth tunnel, pallets, a track f or moving Ware laden pallets throughsaid fourth tunnel, said pallets and said kiln being provided With meanscoacting to separate the fourth tunnel from the third tunnel, a conveyorfor returning unloaded pallets through the third of burning zones incommunication with said rst tunnel, said kiln being provided withpassages placing said plurality of cooling zones in communication Withthe second tunnel and passages placing the secon'd tunnel incommunication with said plurality of drying zones, said kiln havingpassages placing the plurality of drying zones in communication withsaid iirst tunnel, and means for exhausting air and burnt products ofcombustion from said first tunnel.

14. In a kiln of the type described, a first conveyor for loadedpallets, a second conveyor for unloaded pallets located underneath thefirst conveyor, a pivoted gravity conveyor at the delivery and receivingends of the first and seoond conveyors, respectively, said gravityconveyor being balanced to receive unloaded pallets from the rstconveyor, a latch device for holding the rgravity conveyor in its palletreceiving position with respect to the first conveyor, pallet engageableactuator for said latch for unlatching the latter when engaged by apallet moving down the gravity conveyor, said gravity conveyor being sopivoted and balanced as to pivot downwardly for delivering a palletthereon onto said second conveyor and then pivoting to its latchedposition With respect to said first conveyor.

` JAMES H. MINTER.

